It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look.....To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.
Henry Thoreau

Friday, March 13, 2009

Quick Takes Friday

1. When you've had a rough day there is nothing like walking into the kitchen and seeing bags of food. Lots of food. Already prepared food- even better!Dyl went to Fr. Val's funeral/lunch and Fr. Ben sent him home with the leftovers. What a thoughtful man. ;)

2. High five to Sissy for making the Summit Varsity Soccer team!

3. Talked to Zak last night for the first time in awhile. He went on a retreat in the Smokey Mountains for spring break. He said he was homesick. Sniff.

4. Little boy and maternity clothes almost completely sorted & washed. ay yi yi. I still can't get over how on earth I have collected this much stuff. My only guess is that I just kept throwing it up in the attic without really going through it after each baby because I was short on time. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. ;)

5. On that note I'm very pleased that the Kidney Foundation is stopping by on Monday. :)

Caring for Your Introvert

Do you know someone who needs hours alone every day? Who loves quiet conversations about feelings or ideas, and can give a dynamite presentation to a big audience, but seems awkward in groups and maladroit at small talk? Who has to be dragged to parties and then needs the rest of the day to recuperate? Who growls or scowls or grunts or winces when accosted with pleasantries by people who are just trying to be nice?

If so, do you tell this person he is "too serious," or ask if he is okay? Regard him as aloof, arrogant, rude? Redouble your efforts to draw him out?

If you answered yes to these questions, chances are that you have an introvert on your hands—and that you aren't caring for him properly.

7.Thought to ponder:

"Good temper should be cultivated by every mistress, as upon it the welfare of the household may be said to turn; indeed, its influence can hardly be over-estimated, as it has the effect of molding the characters of those around her, and of acting most beneficially on the happiness of the domestic circle. Every head of household should strive to be cheerful, and should never fail to show a deep interest in all the appertains to the well being of those who claim the protection of her roof. Gentleness, not partial and temporary, but universal and regular, should pervade her conduct; for where such a spirit is habitually manifested, it not only delights her children, but makes her domestics attentive and respectful; her visitors are also pleased by it, and their happiness is increased. "

My daughter's blog

Someone who has a why can live with any what and any how.Viktor Frankl

The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity.

George Bernard Shaw

And it is this humanity of Jesus that makes visible what is divine in him, which makes him manifest to us as God. Frenzy of any kind - even if it is 'religious' zeal and frenzy - is totally alien to the man of the New Testament. Think about it: Every time that we believe we are absolutely indispensable, every time we think that the world and the Church depend on our tireless activity, we over-value ourselves.

It is not that I wish to sing the praises of laziness, but I do wish tosuggest a certain change in the table of virtues as it has evolved in theWestern world, for which only action counts as a legitimate and conceivableactivity - whereas meditation, wonder, self-communion and silence are seento be indefensible and worthless, or at the very least, 'activities' thatneed to be justified.